The Fire and Rescue Department responded swiftly to an unusual and potentially dangerous situation, rescuing a woman who discovered a King Cobra in her car engine. The incident took place at the PDRM Apartments in Sabah.
Details of the Incident
Location and Initial Report: The department received a call indicating that a King Cobra, approximately one meter long, had made its way into the engine compartment of a Proton Saga. The report came from the PDRM Apartments, where the car was parked.
Discovery: The car owner was alerted to the presence of the snake by a neighbour. The neighbour had witnessed the snake slithering into the vehicle earlier in the day, prompting them to notify the car owner.
Porsche has introduced two new top-tier models in the Panamera lineup: the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and the Panamera GTS. Each model caters to different aspects of driving pleasure, from the purist, agility-focused GTS to the high-performance, luxurious Turbo S E-Hybrid.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
Engine and Performance:
4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine combined with an electric motor.
Total system output: 782PS and 1,000Nm of torque.
Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds, top speed: 325km/h.
Fuel efficiency: Combined fuel consumption of 1.4-1.6 l/100 km, with electric consumption of 27.4-29.3 kWh/100 km.
Enhanced hybrid powertrain with a 25.9 kWh battery, providing an electric range of up to 88km (WLTP EAER City).
Fast charging capability: 11 kW on-board AC charger charges the battery from 0 to 100% in about 2 hours and 39 minutes.
Design and Features:
Exterior: Distinctive rear bumper, chrome-plated tailpipes, standard Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) with yellow brake callipers.
Exclusive Turbonite colour available for airblades, rear bumper strip, and 21-inch wheels.
Interior: Turbonite accents, contrast stitching, suede-like Race-Tex upholstery, and a Bose sound system.
Advanced suspension: Porsche Active Ride suspension with innovative functions like overcompensation of pitching and rolling motions, optimising traction and driving stability.
Sports exhaust system for a powerful, emotional sound.
Fuel efficiency: Combined fuel consumption of 12.0-12.7 l/100km.
Design and Features:
Exterior: Sporty design with black GTS logos, dark-tinted HD matrix LED headlights, tail lights, and red brake callipers.
Interior: Extensive use of Race-Tex material, 18-way adjustable adaptive sports seats, and GTS-specific interior packages in Carmine Red or Slate Grey Neo.
Standard Sport package: Includes satin-matt Black body trim elements and 21-inch Turbo S centre-lock wheels in Anthracite Grey.
Driving Dynamics:
Chassis tuning for high performance, with a lower body and reinforced anti-roll bars.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and electronically controlled PTV Plus differential lock.
Enhanced driving experience with greater body stability and reduced pitching and rolling.
Common Features and Innovations:
Third-Generation Panamera Enhancements:
Porsche Driver Experience control concept, high-resolution HD matrix LED lights.
Extended connectivity functions, including deeper Apple CarPlay integration and video streaming on the optional Passenger Display.
Option for parking the car from outside using a smartphone app.
Market-Specific Variants:
Executive variant of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid with a long wheelbase includes four-zone automatic climate control and a large centre console.
Deliveries of both models in Germany are set to begin in September 2024, marking a new chapter in the Panamera’s legacy of combining luxury, performance, and advanced technology.
The Mini Cooper S 5-door model offers a blend of practicality and performance with its increased dimensions and sporty features. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes this model stand out.
Expanded Dimensions for Better Comfort
Length and Wheelbase: The 5-door model is 172mm longer than the traditional 3-door Mini and features a 72mm longer wheelbase.
Compact and Agile: Despite its increased size, the car maintains a compact profile with short overhangs and a small turning circle of 11.4 meters, making it ideal for city driving.
Enhanced Visual Appeal: Larger tyre diameter (625 mm) not only improves aesthetics but also enhances driving dynamics and comfort.
Versatile Luggage Space: With 60:40 folding rear seats, the luggage capacity can expand from 275 litres to 925 litres, providing ample space without compromising on the Mini’s compact footprint.
Recent incidents involving heavy vehicle accidents have alarmed road users across the nation. Notably, these accidents often result in severe consequences, including loss of innocent lives, and frequently go viral on social media.
Statistics and Causes
Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah revealed that from January to March 2024, a total of 652 accidents involving various heavy vehicles were recorded. These vehicles include container trucks, small trucks, and express buses. The primary factors contributing to these accidents are:
Driver Negligence: Drowsy driving and lack of attention.
Speeding: Driving above the permitted speed limit.
Overloading: Vehicles carrying more than the permissible load.
Poor Maintenance: Inadequate upkeep of vehicles.
Public Concern and Calls for Action
The public has voiced concerns over these incidents, urging the government to enhance the monitoring and enforcement of transport vehicles. There is a widespread belief that stricter oversight could mitigate the frequency and severity of these accidents.
The Economy Ministry has announced that the RON95 targeted subsidy mechanism will fully utilise data from the Central Database Hub (Padu), basing eligibility on net household disposable income.
Padu System Overview
Padu serves as the central data repository for Malaysian citizens and permanent residents, consolidating information for individuals and households. As of March 31, 2024, 10.55 million individuals have updated their personal information within the system. The Padu system is currently in its second phase, which involves data analysis to determine household details, reasonable expenditure, and net disposable income.
Data Analysis and Implementation
The second phase of Padu’s development focuses on analysing collected data to accurately identify household details and assess their financial status. This analysis will help determine who qualifies for the RON95 subsidy based on their net disposable income.
Porsche has expanded its electric Macan lineup by introducing the rear-wheel-drive and 4S trims, adding to the previously unveiled Macan 4 and Turbo models. This move broadens the options available to buyers looking for varied performance and features in the electric SUV market.
Porsche Macan EV 4S
New Base Model: Rear-Wheel Drive
The new base model of the Macan EV eliminates the front motor, resulting in a weight reduction of 110kg compared to the Macan 4. This model uses a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 335hp, which can increase to 355hp with launch control. Despite having 47hp less than the Macan 4, it offers an instant torque of 562Nm, although this is 86Nm less than its all-wheel-drive counterpart. This configuration allows the rear-wheel-drive Macan EV to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, just half a second slower than the Macan 4, and reach a top speed of 218km/h.
Porsche Macan EV RWD
Macan 4S: Enhanced Performance
The Macan 4S bridges the gap between the Macan 4 and the Turbo model. It features the same front motor as the Macan 4 but includes a more powerful rear motor, boosting its output to 442hp, or 509hp with overboost. This represents an increase of 107hp over the Macan 4. The torque also rises to 783Nm with launch control, which is 134Nm more than the Macan 4. The Macan 4S achieves 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 238km/h.
Shared Features and Specifications
Both new trims share a 95-kWh battery, capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 21 minutes with a 270 kW charger. Standard features include air suspension and electronic damping control, ensuring a smooth and controlled ride.
Design and Off-Road Capabilities
The electric Macan offers a new Slate Grey Neo colour and 20-inch wheels. Additionally, it includes an off-road design package that improves the approach angle to 17.5 degrees and increases ground clearance to 7.6 inches, which can be further raised to 8.8 inches with the air suspension in its highest setting. The off-road package also features a redesigned front bumper, side skirts, diffuser, and roof railings, available in Vesuvius Grey or body colour.
Availability in Malaysia
Porsche Malaysia recently showcased the all-new Macan EV and Macan Turbo at the Porsche World Roadshow, where it is now available for booking. Whether or not we will receive these new variants is an answer that only time can tell.
